Memo

Hello there...Goodbye.

Chapter 08: Out of the Blue

A fortnight had pasted since the Hokage's memorial and Kianna had spent most of her time helping to rebuild the village. It was in dire straits at the moment as the battle had destroyed hundreds of homes. However, everything was slowly getting back to normal and everyone knew that the village's strength would help it survive. During the past few weeks, many other things had happened too. The sand, who had been damaged just as much as the leaf, renewed their alliance with Kohana after finding out who had really been leading them into war. In addition, the question of who was going to be the new Hokage was on everyone's minds. They had to choose one soon or surrounding villages would see their weakness and attack.

In the time Kianna had not been helping in the village, she had been trying to spend as much time with her old (and new) friends as possible. Most of her lunches where usually spent with the new Genin that Kianna had grown fond of. Lee made her laugh, his resemblance to Gai was scary, and she particularly liked Hinata, who reminded her of her younger self. Of course, she spent time with Naruto, Sakura and Sasuke too, usually at the Ramen Bar. Their team relationship made her laugh, Sasuke always being, well, Sasuke and Naruto being the loud, abrupt (loveable) kid he was and Sakura, Kianna loved her...How could she put it?..Spark! She loved hanging around with this team the most as well, as she could easily bump into Kakashi when with them. Although their relationship had been awkward at first, they now could laugh and chat like they used to and Kakashi had been the one Kianna seemed to be 'bumping into' the most. Not that he minded of course!! Kakashi noticed a change within himself now that Kianna had returned, everything seemed brighter and more optimistic, not that he showed it.

Kianna and Kakashi sat at the Ramen bar together and talked about various things, drinking their sake. They had eaten dinner there with Kakashi and his team, but all three genin had gone quite a while ago as it was late in the evening. Kianna wasn't sure what the time was now, but she was sure midnight had pasted.
"Hey Kianna," Kakashi slurred.
Kianna was sure that he had had slightly too much sake. Although she hadn't seen him drink or eat anything that night, when she had her back turned, drinks and food mysteriously disappeared from the countertop. She tried to get a sneak peek of his face, but to no avail. She wondered what his face looked like. Did he even have a face or was there just a big black void where there was supposed to be a mouth and nose. Wait a minute, she thought, that's the sake talking. Of course he had a nose and mouth. He definitely had a nose and mouth.
"Kianna?" She heard Kakashi slur again. Her mind must've wandered off. Maybe she had had a bit too much sake as well.
"Yes Kakashi" She replied back, struggling to keep her own words coherent.
"Do you think Hokage will become the Jiraiya?" He stumbled, words not particularly in the right order. He was definitely tipsy. This was interesting. Kianna had never seen him drunk before. "Properly not. He's too sh-stubborn to become Hokage. There are too many rules and regulations for him to follow. He's too much of loose cannon. Err; I think you get the point. Anyway, if he was Hokage, who would write the Icha Icha series."
"No Icha Icha?" Kakashi started suddenly looking very concerned. Kianna giggled at him and his 'if that happened it would be the end of the world for me' expression. He drooped forward slightly and sighed.
"Ummmm, I think Kakashi needs his bed and I think I need mine too" The owner said.
"Okay we'll be leaving then"
"I think he may need a little help" Said the owner, an exasperated look on his face.
"Come on Kakashi we're taking you home" stated Kianna standing up and feeling herself tilt to one side. She had Kakashi leaning heavily on her shoulder.
"Aren't I sh-upposed to escort you home" Kakashi asked
"Not in that state. How much sake did you have?"
"Enough."
"More than enough more like. Come on let's get you home. I want to get to my bed too you know."

Kianna awkwardly walked to Kakashi's home with him leaning on her. She swore he had fallen asleep at one point and kept poking him to try and keep him alert. After what seemed like a decade, they got to Kakashi's home and they sat on his bed. He lay down and closed his eyes. Kianna felt slightly rejected, she didn't even receive a thank you or goodbye. She got off the bed and tried to walk away, but something was holding her back. A hand had a firm hold on her left arm and that hand belonged to Kakashi.
"Don't go...Don't leave me again." He mumbled keeping his grip strong.
Kianna could see that his eyes were closed and he was fast asleep. Maybe he was dreaming. She felt a horrid twist in her gut when her alcohol induced brain realised what he was saying.
"I couldn't bear it again. Don't leave...stay..."
"Okay I'll stay, see I'm sitting back down." She replied and, feeling more than just a bit guilty, she laid down on the bed. It looked like she wasn't going to get home soon. If she waited for a while he would properly loosen his grip soon, yeah, then she could slip away quietly. If only she could keep her eyes open. Well, there's no harm in closing them, she thought, as long as I don't fall asleep...

Kakashi moaned as he woke from his slumber. His head was throbbing and he felt like he was being repeatedly whacked on the head with a large, very hard, mallet. Keeping his eyes firmly closed, he tried to recollect his foggy thoughts to what happened last night, but it took awhile for them to reappear. He had got drunk, yes that was it, and Kianna escorted him home. Then she must've gone home. She must have. But these memories didn't explain the object that he seemed to have wrapped his hands around and that gorgeous, familiar scent that assaulted his senses. No, it can't be, he thought, well there's only one way to find out. He opened his eyes, only for them to be greeted by the sight of the back of a certain shinobi's kimono. He sighed, and lent on his arms and looked at her face, she looked so peaceful. One of his hands reached up to stoke it, but she mumbled and groggily opened her eyes. There was a yelp from Kianna and she rolled away, falling off the bed and landing in a very undignified position.
"Why did you stay last night?" Kakashi asked suspiciously. Kianna scowled at him.
"I only stayed because after you had fallen asleep, without a word of thanks from you might I add, you grabbed my arm and wouldn't let go. I laid on the bed waiting for you to let go. I must have dozed off."
"You could've just woken me."
"Wake you up. Ha!" She replied and she got up blushing heavily. "If you apologise, I might think of making you some breakfast."
"Alright I'm sorry!" He hastily said. He loved Kianna's cooking.

"You guys are sure looking friendly" Kakashi said to Kunerai and Asuma, closing his book. Kakashi and Kianna stood next to the bar.
"Idiot, I was ordered by Anko to get some mochi balls" Kunerai replied, blushing.
"What are you two doing here anyway, looking more than just a bit friendly might I add?" Asked Asuma
"Well, I'm meeting someone on my way home, with Sasuke." replied Kakashi, ignoring the last part of the question and looking toward the seats at the teahouse. Kakashi and Kianna had both felt it throughout the day. An unwanted presence in Kohana and now it was sitting in those seats, hiding behind that curtain.
"That's odd for you Kakashi. Waiting for something. Is it something to do with Obito?" Asuma enquired
"Well, you could say it something like that."
The figure behind the curtain stirred.
Both Kakashi and Kianna were certain that behind that curtain sat the other Uchiha.

Itachi Uchiha, that is.

"Kakashi...It's unusual for you to be here first" Sasuke said a perplexed look on his face.
"That because I made sure he was here first" Kianna giggled.
He looked at the teahouse...The two men, including Itachi, were gone. He looked at the food,
"I can't eat Natto or Sweets" He mentioned.
"Oh I see" Kakashi replied nodding to Kunerai and Asuma. They both disappeared in a flash. Kianna, Kakashi and Sasuke walked along the pathway. Kakashi nudged Kianna
"I have to go."
"Where?" She asked, already knowing the answer.
"You know where...Those two won't be able to tackle it on their own. They'll need help."
"What if I-"
"No, your history with Itachi is too dangerous, you said before that his actions made you a different person. A vengeful, hating person. What if seeing him triggers that emotion. Anyway, you got to take Sasuke to 'that place.'"
She smiled at him and squeezed his hand.
"Okay. And Kakashi...Be Careful."
He nodded and vanished in a puff of smoke.

Note: Mmmm, I wish England had teahouses that would be so awesome. Better than any coffee, foodie places!!